Chapter 36

Another month passed and the trial of Savannah was due to begin in the morning. Penelope was extremely nervous and apprehensive about facing the woman who tried to kill her as well as her upcoming testimony. The team managed to get permission to be on stand down for the entirety of the trial. Penelope felt a little relieved that Derek, Fran, Will, and the rest of her team of Superheroes would be there for moral support.

The night before she was a jumble of nerves and had a hard time sleeping. Her nightmares even returned twice that night for an encore performance. Her Noir Hero was there to help her through them and was able to calm her down enough, so she could get a little more sleep. The more she cried the tighter he held her. She always felt safest when she was wrapped up in the arms of her sexy boyfriend.

Morning finally dawned and Penelope was still jumpy as a cat. With the help of Derek, she was able to shower and wash her hair. She still had to use a plastic bag for her arm that was still in a cast but the hard leg cast had been removed one week earlier. Her leg was now wrapped in a softer ace bandage for added stability. With the added trauma from Savannah's attack, her arm required additional time in a regular cast. Some days she was able to use a walker but for today she opted for the wheelchair. She was afraid of being so nervous that she may lose her balance and fall. She didn't want to take any chances.

Just before she went to take a seat in the chair, Derek approached her, "You alright, Baby Girl?"

Penelope tried to fake a smile but failed miserably. "I just want this thing over with, ya know?"

Derek brought her into his arms and completely enveloped her. "I know, mama! I know! But hey, you got this. I have all the faith in the world in you."

Penelope allowed herself to feel like she was in her very own cocoon and nothing could hurt her when she was wrapped up within his strong and loving arms. "Thanks, Hot Stuff! I wish I was as confident as you are."

Derek leaned back slightly and removed one of his arms from around her and softly placed his fingers under her chin. He gently brought up her head, so he could look directly into her eyes. "Hey, hey, hey. You've got this, I promise. If you feel yourself losing it, just look at me and I will send you all my strength and love right back 'atcha. Deal?"

"Deal, Handsome. Thank you. That means more to me than you know. I love you so much, Derek!"

He grinned at the other half of his heart. "I love you too, Gorgeous! I will always be right by your side. No matter what. Ya ready?"

Penelope smiled back at him, "As ready as I ever will."

As Derek was helping her into the chair there was a knock at the door. They both yelled to whoever it was, to come in.

The door opened and in walked Dave. "Are you guys ready to go? We don't want to be late." He took one look at the frightened face of Penelope and asked, "You okay, Kitten?"

Penelope reached for his hand and squeezed. "I will be soon, Papa Bear. No worries."

Dave quickly glanced at Derek and Derek ever so slightly shook his head. Dave then diverted his attention back to his daughter and shook his hands. "I worry, I worry. But I know you can do this, Kitten. You got this."

Derek chuckled and remarked, "It's the same thing I just told her."

Penelope grabbed her purse, phone, and the light sweater she decided to bring just in case it was too drafty at the courthouse.

Penelope flashed a quick small smile at both of them and wisecracked, "Let's act like a banana and split."

Derek felt a little better that her sense of humor was still there. All three of them chuckled as they left the room and made their way down the hall to the front door. The rest of the family was there patiently waiting. The group of nine left the house and made their way over to the three SUV's they would be taking. They all got situated and off they went to face down their demon.

Once they made it to the courthouse, everybody filed into the courtroom that would be used for the duration of the trial. As soon as they sat down, Savannah was led into the courtroom with shackles on her ankles and both her arms, which were removed for the proceedings. As soon as Savannah noticed Penelope, all she did was sit there and glare at her, hoping to intimidate her nemesis. Savannah's eyes didn't leave Penelope's even while her lawyer was trying to get her attention.

Derek threw his arm around Penelope's shoulders and began to comfort her. Not only with his touch but with his words of love, as well. JJ and Emily were sitting directly behind her and they both lovingly placed their hands-on Penelope's back. Penelope drew in some deep breaths to try and calm herself down.

The court was called to order when the bailiff announced the arrival of the judge. The entire room sat there as both the prosecutor and the defense lawyer gave their opening statements. Fran was called first to give her version about the events leading up to the attempted murder of Penelope to help set up the approximate timeline. She was followed by Derek as to what he'd witnessed upon his arrival at the hospital. Hotch, Dave, Spencer, and JJ were also called to backup Derek's side of the story. Throughout their testimony, Savannah did nothing but make noises and faces trying to disrupt the proceedings.

The judge warned her lawyer to get more control of his client or there would be consequences to pay. The judge then called for a recess for lunch and testimony would resume afterwards. The first witness after recess would be Penelope. When they went to lunch, she wasn't able to eat a bite because of her nerves. All she was able to get down was a cup of herbal tea.

They'd returned to the proceedings and when Penelope was called to the stand, Derek wheeled her to the front of the room and got her situated on the witness stand.

As soon as Derek sat down, the prosecutor asked a few initial questions and then asked Penelope to describe in her own words what happened that day. Penelope almost lost it a few times but then looked directly into Derek's comforting eyes and found her center again, all the while, Savannah glared daggers at her.

Once the prosecutor finished and before her defense lawyer could ask Penelope a question, Savannah snarled out "bitch" twice. The judge banged her gavel a few times and subsequently warned Savannah about her behavior again.

The defense didn't waste any time and lit right into Penelope. As per the explicit instructions of his client, he was to go for Penelope's jugular at all costs. He was badgering her to try and rattle Penelope, so much so, that she might change her story or get caught in a lie. The prosecutor objected several times but lost a few along the way.

All Derek and the family could do was sit there and watch Penelope while she was filled with such agony and prayed that she wouldn't unravel completely. Penelope kept looking at Derek with tears in her eyes. He blew her some kisses and mouthed that he loved her. After a grueling three-hour stint on the stand, it was finally over and court was adjourned until the next day. Penelope was practically a basket case all the way home.

When they made it back to the mansion, Penelope immediately rolled herself to her bedroom. She changed into a nightie, washed her face, and laid in bed and cried. Derek tried his best to comfort her but was failing miserably. She finally cried herself to sleep after she was given something to calm her down.

The next day in court wasn't as bad as the previous day because Penelope was finished with her testimony. The second day was filled with a couple of psychiatrists and psychologists that stated that Savannah should not be sent to prison, but instead, to a hospital where she could get treatment much to everyone's chagrin. Savannah was having none of that and insistently told her lawyer to put her on the stand. Her lawyer finally acquiesced knowing the whole time that it was a huge mistake. All she did was rant and rave that she did nothing wrong and that it was all Penelope's fault. Needless to say, the prosecutor had a field day.

Once closing arguments were completed the judge dismissed court for the day. She would instruct the jury in the morning and then they would retire to deliberate Savannah's fate.

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